News in brief

Rafinha handed three-match ban

Created on 13-04-2014 at 17:30 PM

FCB right-back Rafinha has received a three-match ban after being sent off for violent conduct in Saturday's Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund. The DFB disciplinary committee handed down their verdict on Monday. The Brazilian will be available again in the league for the last match of the season against VfB Stuttgart. Rafinha and the club have accepted the decision.

Kaiserslautern close to full strength

FC Kaiserslautern are more or less at full strength ahead of Wednesday night's DFB Cup semi-final tie at the Allianz Arena. Coach Kosta Runjaic is only missing striker Marcel Gaus following a knee operation. The second division outfit are in confident mood after a run of seven games unbeaten and are currently fourth in the table. “We're not just off to Munich to swap shirts. We don't want to throw in the towel but rather enjoy ourselves and get stuck in,” said Runjaic, “we’re rank outsiders but we'll try to make the most of that.”

Kinhöfer to ref cup clash

Thorsten Kinhöfer will referee the DFB Cup semi-final between Bayern and Kaiserslautern on Wednesday night. The 45-year-old match official from Herne is set to referee the treble winners for a second time this season. The last game Kinhöfer refereed was the 4-1 home win against FSV Mainz in October 2013. Kinhöfer will be assisted by Matthias Anklam and Christian Fischer with Markus Schmidt acting as the fourth official.

Real win without Ronaldo

Real Madrid coasted to a convincing victory in La Liga even without World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo. Bayern's semi-final opponents in the Champions League beat lowly Almeria 4-0 on matchday 33 to clock up three league wins on the bounce. Angel di Maria (28), Gareth Bale (53), Isco (56) and Alvaro Morata (85) scored for Real to take Los Blancos above rivals Barcelona but they are still three points behind league leaders and bitter city rivals Atletico Madrid.